[James Ducker] Man Utd happy with five centre-backs – but Martinez and De Ligt must stay fit

Sadly, i think Martinez may be towards the end

**Key parts in the article**

As things stand, United are planning to run with what they have at centre-back for next term when, barring the unlikeliest of collapses in their final five matches, starting against Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night, they will have Champions League football to factor in.

If all five remain mostly fit and available, United should be fairly well stocked before looking to reinforce in the position next year, but as ever with their defenders, it is not always that simple.

Martínez may have been unfortunate to receive a three-match ban for violent conduct after he was sent off against Leeds for a fleeting pull of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ponytail. But the bigger concern has been the litany of injury issues that have limited the Argentina centre-back, now 28, to just 62 Premier League starts in four seasons.

That lack of robustness would be problem enough, but United have also been without their other first-choice central defender, De Ligt, since late November owing to a back complaint that has mushroomed into something far more troubling than was initially envisaged.

United were assessing centre-back options in the January transfer window when it became apparent De Ligt’s injury was becoming a bigger problem and there was still a degree of uncertainty over the future of Maguire, who has since signed a contract extension.

**United’s priority in the transfer window is to revamp their midfield and they are also in the market for a left winger. But it will be interesting to see whether the club have to pivot and move for a centre-back should De Ligt’s situation not improve or Martínez again succumbs to problems.**

**Background checks have been made on a number of left-footed centre-backs, including Tottenham’s Micky Van de Ven and Murillo, of Nottingham Forest.** Van de Ven’s price tag could drop this summer should Tottenham be relegated. But in that scenario, the 25-year-old Dutchman – whose pace, cultured left foot and dribbling ability out of defence are huge assets – would become an appealing “market opportunity” to many leading clubs. Murillo, 23, has earned a burgeoning reputation at Forest, who boosted their prospects of avoid relegation with Friday’s 5-0 win at Sunderland.

Hope this isn’t true. I like both De Ligt and Martínez, but they’re too injury-prone to be relied on. At the very least, we should try to sign Senesi, who’s available without a transfer fee.

Lisandro can give us 30-35 games out of 55/60, rest can be covered with Heaven/Shaw/Yoro

MDL is the one which can cause us issues, him not available means Maguire will suffer too much from fatigue.